Christmas Shopping, an Enjoyable Family Event?
/Bazaars, Markets and Craft Sales
Christmas shopping can be such a chore, so my daughter and I like to make it fun by chasing the Christmas bazaars, markets and arts & crafts sales around the Ottawa region. There’s no shortage of bazaars in Ottawa starting last weekend and throughout the holiday season, located in high schools, churches, community centres, museums and art centres near us. We love the ambiance and get inspired by the decor, the music and the crafts. We walk around soaking in the Christmas spirit, we take breaks with a drink and play the “who would love this” game. And even when we don’t buy anything, we rush home to make our own masterpieces.
The three shopping events we’re looking forward to this year are the following. I have no idea what they look like, but we’re up for the adventure.
The Barnyard Bazaar at the Canada Agriculture Museum on December 1st: http://www.agriculture.technomuses.ca/english/activities_events/barnyard_bazaar_2012.cfm
The Baz’Art at the Shenkman Centre in Orleans, December 1st and 2nd: http://shenkmanarts.ca/en/events_evenements/december_decembre_2012/bazart/index.htm
The Holiday Art and Show Sale at the Ottawa School of Art, November 29 to December 19th: http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/747279/b43aa9ca7f/ARCHIVE
Why not support local artists and artisans this year by giving an original gift and have fun doing it? Search Google for a full listing of bazaars starting this weekend.
Street Shopping I have wonderful memories of having breakfast with my daughter in a little restaurant in early December, watching light snow fall and getting ready to shop. Why brave nasty malls in the suburbs when we can get fresh air in a lovely setting while walking from boutique to boutique and stopping for food along the way? Ottawa is full of great neighourhoods to enjoy this activity, such as the Glebe, Westborough, Elgin Street, Sparks Street and of course, the Byward Market. I wonder if the cat still lives in the little bookstore on Sussex Street...
Last year, we tried something new and headed to Merrickville, just a short drive down the 416. Not only is the shopping great, but the town’s Christmas calendar is booming with activity! We enjoyed personalized service, artist studios, local everything and a nice lunch at the neighbourhood pub. Now that’s the way to turn a chore into a memory. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to shop.
The Glebe: http://www.shoptheglebe.ca/?act=home Sparks Street: http://www.sparksstreetmall.com/ Byward Market: http://www.byward-market.com/ Merrickville: http://www.christmasinmerrickville.ca/Merrickville.html
Angèle is a goofy mum to a daughter and a wife to an evil genius (retired, apparently). She's also a social media strategist, a podcast host and a teacher in training. In her other life, she's a fan of fresh air, yoga, good friends, new places and keeping things simple. She is the author of two blogs: More of Less (http://moreoflessblog.
